Hotel Esplanade represents our largest and most complex hospitality project, and continues our 15-year partnership with Sand Hill Road.

‘The Espy’ includes 12 bars, 2 restaurants, numerous discrete spaces, and 3 separate performance areas, making it the biggest and most complicated hotel or food and beverage project in Melbourne city.

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Client

Sand Hill Road

Location

St Kilda

The Traditional Custodians of this land

Bunurong people

Completion

2018

Site Area

3000m²

Patron Capacity

1780

Services

Interior Design
Architecture

Collaborators

Eleisha Gray - Styling
Ayus Botanical - Landscaping

Photographer

Shannon McGrath

‘Kickarse Victorian Grandeur’

 

Our design remains true to the spirit of The Espy and aspires to  give it another chapter in the story of its colourful and varied history. The spaces presented so much possibility in terms of design so it was about exploring what we could do to bring them back to life. The process involved practical problem solving and historical research to drive the design.

“The design is unique because it focuses entirely on historical layering. Different eras and styles call to each other across the spaces – making for an eclectic customer exploration – and this is united throughout by exposing the good bones of the original building.”

– Justin Northrop, Director

Storytelling through materials

Storytelling through materials

Distressed wall finishes by artist Meg Milton, using Porter's Paints in a 'French Wash' using colours 'Jealous Guy' and 'Semi Jealous'

Distressed wall finishes by artist Meg Milton, using Porter's Paints in a 'French Wash' using colours 'Jealous Guy' and 'Semi Jealous'

RC+D carpet from the 'Monsieur Christian Lacoiux' collection, in a custom made colour palette

RC+D carpet from the 'Monsieur Christian Lacoiux' collection, in a custom made colour palette

Antique styling pieces sourced from vintage stores are found across all levels adding authentic touches to each unique story

Antique styling pieces sourced from vintage stores are found across all levels adding authentic touches to each unique story

Elliot Clarke upholstery from 'Threads Meridian Velvet' Range, in shade 'Emerald'

Elliot Clarke upholstery from 'Threads Meridian Velvet' Range, in shade 'Emerald'

'Verandah Fan' from Prestige Fans with a 'Bronze' oil finish and 'Walnut' blades

'Verandah Fan' from Prestige Fans with a 'Bronze' oil finish and 'Walnut' blades

'Art Wall Light' from Memory Lane in 'Antique Brass'

'Art Wall Light' from Memory Lane in 'Antique Brass'

“We hope it will be hard to tell which sections are original details and which things have been recreated. This approach was new for us and was, at the time, new in Melbourne; it’s more familiar in Europe where this architectural tradition is much older.”

– Nick Travers, Director

 

 

Stories of the Espy

• Alfred Felton

  An entrepreneur, chemist and art enthusiast who resided in the Espy. The Ghost Of Alfred Felton highlights three elegantly adorned upstairs sections, mirroring his life with worldwide antiques. A historian vividly portrays his Espy dwelling: 'Bookshelves and art all round; crammed elsewhere with disorderly heaps of books, papers, clocks... or a pedestal carrying a marble statue.'

• Drawings uncovered

  Found during construction, underneath an impressive wallpaper from the 1940's , these drawings allegedly depict the managers from an Espy era of the past - dressed impeccably - as you would expect from the 19th century.
  
  These drawings were kept in tact... next time you're there, check under the stairs!

• The artistry of Meg Milton

  Artist, Meg Milton, was brought on to the team to preserve and recreate the disheveled walls. All the colours found in her incredibly intricate artwork are from the original hues found within the layers of the aged walls.

Across the venue, we emphasised the music and performance spaces, as loyal patrons of the old Espy would expect. Three different spaces can accommodate performances that range in scale from intimate jazz or stand-up comedy to rock bands drawing big crowds in the hallowed Gershwin Room.

People have a real connection to the Gershwin Room. We refreshed the bar, but wanted to make sure the whole space still feels recognisable.